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Are you looking to upgrade from free over-the-air television and add a paid service? What about making a change from cable to Satellite? Are you interested in switching but don't know if it is a good idea or what providers are the best?

If you answered yes to all or any of these questions then you have found the right place. Below you will find our Satellite TV Information section with links to all sorts of various information to help you decide whether it is for you and if so what companies to consider. Satellite TV isn't as complicated as some other choices you will have to make though, since there are only two major providers within the U.S., Dish Network and DirecTV. Before getting to the links it's important to start with a little intro on Satellite TV.

Satellite TV has seen a lot of technological advances over the past few years and as a result the number of subscribers has risen significantly. In a lot of ways satellite and cable are similar but there are also differences that give each one its own advantages. Some advantages of satellite include price, availability, better picture and sound quality, more programming options, and often more HDTV options. Some disadvantages as compared with cable include less access to local programming, more equipment needed, more complicated installation, and a greater potential for signal interference.

One of the major advantages discussed above is the lower price. The cost for it is between $25-$30 for 100 channels while the average price for a comparable digital cable program is around $50. Besides being cheaper satellite television also provides a better picture and better sound quality because it is all digital while some cable is still being broadcast in analog. It also allows for a consistent set of programming and features no matter where you live in the country since it is all satellite based. In rural areas cable companies often are not able to offer great HDTV lineups, such as where I live, we only get about 15 HDTV channels through Time Warner.

One of the disadvantages of is a lack of local programming. It does provide access to local channels but getting them often requires an extra fee. It also requires a more complicated dish installation process and more equipment. This use to be more of an issue in the past but these days you can get most of the equipment and installation done for free by signing a service contract. Finally, it the potential to go out during bad weather. Technology has limited this greatly but there is still a risk that you will lose your TV during a strong storm while there is virtually no chance of this happening with cable as long as your power doesn't go out.

The two major providers are always in a fierce battle for market share. You should use this to your advantage when looking to signup. Both companies generally require a two year contract when offering specials. These specials are great though because they allow you to get your first year for as much half often.

If you are considering getting satellite we highly recommend that you check out our guide below and consider your options carefully. As with any decision that requires a two year commitment, you better do you due diligence before committing. Also, feel free to leave comments below if you have any questions or suggestions on more information that we can provide to help you and others make their decision easier.